News

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps, announced today a first of-its-kind AmeriCorps project, and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center will be a principal partner. 

Operation AmeriCorps East St. Louis will assist schools and prepare students for academic and career success.

“This is a great day for East St. Louis, said CNCS Chief Executive Officer Wendy Spencer, Wednesday in a media conference call. “This was a highly competitive grant. East St. Louis is one of just 10 in the nation that we are awarding an Operation AmeriCorps.”

The two-year project, which will go into effect August 1, is the first of its kind, because it combines multiple AmeriCorp programs into one initiative. More than 200 AmeriCorps members will serve as mentors, tutors and career coaches over the duration of the grant.

The $1.7 million initiative will help students in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, said Jesse Dixon, East St. Louis Center director.

“The project will implement a citywide College and Career Pathways Program by focusing on improved academic achievement and college/career planning for youth in East St. Louis,” Dixon added. “The East St. Louis Center Upward Bound Program will help tutor and support ninth grade students in Operation AmeriCorp East St. Louis.”

The program will aid students in and out of the classroom, and during the summer months. AmeriCorp will have volunteers from the community and elsewhere assisting students during the school day.

“We are grateful that East St. Louis was selected nationwide,” said Devon Horton, assistant superintendent of the East St. Louis School District 189. “This grant will advance our goals in increasing student achievement and our commitment to excellence. It will also expand opportunities for our youth.”

After school, the students will be able to receive support from East St. Louis agencies and entities partnering with the initiative. Other community partners besides SIUE include: the Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation, Christian Activity Center, Griffin Center and Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House.   

“The SIUE East St. Louis Center is thrilled to be a partner in this historic initiative for East St. Louis youth,” Dixon said. “Operation AmeriCorps East St. Louis will provide an unprecedented level of support for students throughout the community, while strengthening our collective impact across community organizations. 

 “The East St. Louis School District’s leadership in bringing us all together will allow this transformative, first-of-its-kind initiative to improve outcomes for East St. Louis youth.” 

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Volunteer Generation Fund. It also leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

SIUE East St. Louis Center: With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals—from pre-school through adult—in the Metro East region.  The Center offers programs that give the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. It does so by providing comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.